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11-16-2016, 09:00 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1973 23' Safari
Central Coast
, California
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 136
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16 inch tire upgrade, '73 era Airstream
Greetings, We are new owners of a '73 Safari and I need to replace the tires. We are considering the 16 inch Sendel wheels with Michelin 225/75 tires. Would appreciate feedback on fit and clearance issues. Will they fit? It looks like there is not a lot of room inboard between the tire sidewall and the frame and the 225 tires are a bit wider than the 7.00x15 tires that are presently installed. Also seems, that it may be a good time to replace the brake drums and convert to wheel studs vs bolts?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Steve
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11-16-2016, 10:26 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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Our 23' 1973 avion we used 225/75/15 passenger tires and never had any problems, it came with g-78 jumbo passenger tires,lasted13 years, our 13' 31' classic is heavier and we went to the 16" . I went through grade school there in casa grande..
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11-16-2016, 10:28 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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PS you can buy studs to install in your old hubs and use wheel nuts...if you go this way..
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11-16-2016, 12:04 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1973 Argosy 24
hartselle
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 582
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Went with 225/75 15r on mine with no clearance issues. Studs are a sure thing but would inspect brakes before total replacement.
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11-16-2016, 01:43 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1977 23' Safari
Niagara on the Lake
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 984
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Is your trailer single or double axle?
You'll get all sorts of advice about using ST or LT or PXL tires on this forum. Good luck sorting through all of it.
I have 235/75R15 Michelin LTX MS2 on my '77 Safari and have been very happy with them. not sure I'd be as happy with them on a single axle trailer and would likely upsize to 16".
__________________
1977 Safari Land Yacht
2005 Toyota Tundra SR5
2022 Toyota 4Runner SR5
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11-16-2016, 09:32 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1973 23' Safari
Central Coast
, California
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 136
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Thanks for all the input. Sounds like the 225 tires will fit just fine. Our unit is a tandem axle. Probably don't need the 16 inch wheels but it seems that if we are buying new wheels and tires, why not go ahead and convert to 16 inch at the same time? I just really like the look of the Sendel S20's.
Steve
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11-17-2016, 06:01 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1977 23' Safari
Niagara on the Lake
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StevenD
Thanks for all the input. Sounds like the 225 tires will fit just fine. Our unit is a tandem axle. Probably don't need the 16 inch wheels but it seems that if we are buying new wheels and tires, why not go ahead and convert to 16 inch at the same time? I just really like the look of the Sendel S20's.
Steve
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Can't argue with your logic, good decision!
__________________
1977 Safari Land Yacht
2005 Toyota Tundra SR5
2022 Toyota 4Runner SR5
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11-17-2016, 07:54 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Allegan
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 146
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Steven,
I stayed with 15 inch tires on my recent axle swap so I can't comment on clearance issues. However, I believe that your unit has torsion axles and if they are original they probably need replacement. If they have lost their "spring" then that is the first decision you have to make. Then there are choices of axle capacity, start angle, brake style (drum or disc), brake size, wheel size and finally tires. Lots of factors and trade offs. Also a great deal of information and various opinions on this site.
Good Luck,
Whit Nash
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11-17-2016, 12:42 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Greeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
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Mine is a 2000 year model, I did go with 16" Sendel and Michelin. No clearance issues.
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11-17-2016, 03:28 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2014 16' Sport
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 49
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16"tires
You know what they say about opinions?
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11-17-2016, 05:21 PM
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#11
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Oxblood
2003 34' Classic
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 42
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GO WITH THE 16" wheels 225/75/ MICHELIN light tires. I have 3 axel 34' Classic AS. Had blowouts every trip before the change. None in the past 3 years!!
__________________
Denny & Debbie
2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Diesel
Hensley Arrow
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11-17-2016, 05:23 PM
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#12
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Oxblood
2003 34' Classic
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 42
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Goodyear trailer tire suck!!
Stay away from Goodyear trailer tires! The worst ever.
__________________
Denny & Debbie
2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Diesel
Hensley Arrow
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11-17-2016, 06:37 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
1972 29' Ambassador
grants pass
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 262
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stay with 15"
I have a '72 Airstream Ambassador 29' which came with 16" wheels when I got it.
They are too big for this year,era of airstream.Both visually and its a tight fit.
I bought a set of original 15" optional airstream slotted mags.
I would stick with 15" on yours.
But that's an opinion
__________________
1987 Avion 34X
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11-17-2016, 09:05 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
1973 23' Safari
Central Coast
, California
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 136
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Airline, very good feedback. I like the 16 inch concept but I had heard that the shape of the wheel wells had changed over the years. Have not seen any pics of 16's on the early 70's models. I may have to reconsider. Also, rwnash, you're right, by the time I put new on brakes, bearings, and drums, I'm nearly halfway to new axles costwise.
Thanks again, Steve
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11-18-2016, 06:44 AM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Allegan
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 146
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Steve,
While cost is always a consideration, your trailer may NEED new torsion axles. My previous unit was a 1975 Tradewind and I did some damage on a rough road with tired axles. Based on that experience I replaced axles on the current trailer before they lost all their spring. You should check to see what the proper test is, but I think that if the axle arms are horizontal then it is time for replacement. With my new axles I gained about 3 inches of ground clearance.
Do some searching and see what others have discovered.
Whit Nash
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11-18-2016, 05:21 PM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
1973 23' Safari
Central Coast
, California
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 136
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Whit Nash
I think you are right. I have contacted Inland RV about replacement axles. At this point, I think I want to maintain original ride height. Also still researching the 15 vs 16 inch tire/wheel issue. It looks like the 225/75 15 tire is approx 3/4 inch smaller in diameter than the 7.00X15 presently installed and that the 16's are only about 1/4 larger. So maybe taking into consideration the greater sidewall flex of the radial, the 225/75 16 may have the same rolling radius as the original tires.
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09-22-2017, 04:57 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StevenD
Whit Nash
I think you are right. I have contacted Inland RV about replacement axles. At this point, I think I want to maintain original ride height. Also still researching the 15 vs 16 inch tire/wheel issue. It looks like the 225/75 15 tire is approx 3/4 inch smaller in diameter than the 7.00X15 presently installed and that the 16's are only about 1/4 larger. So maybe taking into consideration the greater sidewall flex of the radial, the 225/75 16 may have the same rolling radius as the original tires.
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Hey SteveD - or anyone else with a similar 70's era - did you ever switch to the 16" wheels? I am considering this upgrade and haven't found any definitive answer on whether this era can handle the size increase fro 15" or not. Yes, I have new (Henschen) axles - if that helps with opinions....
Cheers
__________________
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FunKee - and the Silver Olive
1973 27' Overlander
2006 F-150 Lariat QuadCrew
AIR 31804
WBCCI 10718
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09-23-2017, 05:34 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funkill
Hey SteveD - or anyone else with a similar 70's era - did you ever switch to the 16" wheels? I am considering this upgrade and haven't found any definitive answer on whether this era can handle the size increase fro 15" or not. Yes, I have new (Henschen) axles - if that helps with opinions....
Cheers
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15" to 16" michelins you gain 1/2 " in height.....if your trailer is light weight , 16"is overkill, 15" Michelin p rated probably will work, check your weight...
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09-23-2017, 08:53 AM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
1973 23' Safari
Central Coast
, California
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 136
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Greetings Funkill
I heeded the advice of the forum and stayed with the 15 inch tires. First, our 23 foot Safari didn't need the additional load capacity of 16 inch. Also, on our trailer, there just wasn't that much clearance at the front edge of the tire/wheel well. Did replace the axles but ended up staying with original hubcaps.
Steve
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09-27-2017, 11:36 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StevenD
Greetings Funkill
I heeded the advice of the forum and stayed with the 15 inch tires. First, our 23 foot Safari didn't need the additional load capacity of 16 inch. Also, on our trailer, there just wasn't that much clearance at the front edge of the tire/wheel well. Did replace the axles but ended up staying with original hubcaps.
Steve
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Thanks Steve.
I wasn't really looking to increase my load capacity - just open the options for tires, which seemed more limited on 15" rather than 16". Plan to change the wheels out this year to improve the aestetics. The steel wheels look like crap and, after losing 2 of the original hubcaps while underway, I decided to leave the remaining 4 that I still have on a shelf (for safekeeping ).
__________________
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FunKee - and the Silver Olive
1973 27' Overlander
2006 F-150 Lariat QuadCrew
AIR 31804
WBCCI 10718
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